Five additional requirements beyond a standard divorce: parenting plan, child support guidelines worksheet, parent education class, 20-day waiting period, and compliance with the 50/50 timesharing presumption.
Quick Answer
Florida divorce with minor children requires: a court-approved Parenting Plan, a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet under Fla. Stat. § 61.30, completion of a parent education class by both parents, a 20-day waiting period after filing under § 61.19, and compliance with the rebuttable presumption of equal timesharing under § 61.13. Final judgment typically takes 30–60 days uncontested or 6–12 months contested. Free consultation: 877-862-7188.
1. Parenting Plan. A written, court-approved document specifying timesharing (regular and holiday), decision-making authority (sole or shared), education and healthcare decisions, communication methods with the child, and exchange logistics. The plan is incorporated into the final judgment and modifications require a court order.
2. Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. Calculation under Fla. Stat. § 61.30 using both parents’ net incomes, the basic support obligation from the statutory schedule, allocation by income share, and adjustments for healthcare premiums, work-related childcare, and overnights.
3. Parent education class. Both parents must complete a Florida-approved parent education and family stabilization course (~4 hours, ~$30, online or in-person). Certificates filed with the court.
4. 20-day waiting period. Under Fla. Stat. § 61.19, the final judgment cannot be entered until at least 20 days after filing in cases involving minor children. The court may waive only on a showing of injustice.
5. 50/50 presumption. Under the 2023 amendment to Fla. Stat. § 61.13, equal timesharing is presumed in the child’s best interest unless rebutted by evidence under the 20 statutory factors.